Sweden and Russia have both announced their selection dates for December's Junior Eurovision Song Contest.  In Sweden, TV4 are taking over the broadcasting from SVT, and they will select in the program Lilla Melodifestivalen on September 2, and hopefuls (who need to be aged between 8-15) can send in songs up until July 3.

The Russian song for Bucharest will take place on June 4.  Broadcaster RTR received approximately 100 songs, and after some regional heats and castings 31 have been shortlisted.  These will be whittled down to 20 on Wednesday in time for the show next month, which will start at about 19:25 CET.

 

Junior Eurovision 2006 - 16 countries sign up!

So far 16 broadcasters have signed a preliminary agreement to participate in the fourth Junior Eurovision Song Contest to be hosted by TV Romania (TVR) in the sports arena Sala Polivalenta, in Bucharest on 2 December 2006.

A final list of countries will be released in the next few weeks and the draw for the running and voting orders for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) 2006 will be held in Bucharest on 17 October.

"Although inspired by its older brother, the Eurovision Song Contest, the format and rules of the JESC, launched in Denmark in 2003, are adapted for children," says Svante Stockselius, EBU executive supervisor. "Last year's event, which was hosted in Belgium, featured great junior talents and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. It's great family entertainment – we are really looking forward to the next show!" he added. The two-hour live TV show, which is broadcast via the Eurovision satellite network, has become one of the world's biggest international music competition for children between the ages of 8 and 15. As with the adult Song Contest, viewers can cast their votes in real time for their favourite song by telephone or SMS.

Unlike the adult version, however, the young singers must compose their own songs and perform them in their respective national languages. Other major differences with the junior format are that the rules include an ethical section to ensure that the rights of the child artists are protected and respected. For example, a proper dress code is compulsory and adult-like make up and "provocative" choreography are not allowed. The victorious country also does not have the automatic right to stage the show the following year. The venue is decided in advance to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the junior artists.

Further information:
Aline Ingwersen, Marketing and Media Manager, +41 22 717 20 38; ingwersen@ebu.ch